The rule, which requires airlines to roll mandatory per-passenger taxes and fees into the advertised fare, went into effect this week as part of a new package of Department of Transportation airline passenger protections. Prior to the rule, airlines could advertise the base fare or show it on the first screen of online fare results, adding taxes and fees later in the shopping process.
[…]
“Our main objection … is that there is no justification for treating air travel differently from just about everything else that consumers purchase, i.e. they pay for the price of goods and services and then pay tax. And that’s how everything is advertised, as the price of the item separately from the tax on that price,” Southwest spokeswoman Brandy King told CNN last month.
Spirit Airlines lashes out against new airfare rule - CNN.com
Well done, DoT. You have me agreeing with AIRLINES.
(via sexartandpolitics)
Don’t listen to Spirit Airlines, they are full of shit. The only reason they’re so up in arms is because they are THE nickel-and-dime airline. They publish $9 fares even though you have to pay an annual $59 (or more I think) subscription service to their “$9 club.” They charge for checked bags, AND carry-on bags.
Their entire business model is built around the kind of bullshit this law was created to stop. So yeah, they’re a little biased.
-Joe
(via stfuconservatives)
Also, when it comes to other goods and services, we usually know what the sales tax will be and any additional fees are usually disclosed… airlines get to surprise you when you click “purchase” and it’s like a slap in the face. How could an average Joe have known what random fees an airline was going to charge?
(via stfuconservatives)
